Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Happy Birthday Girl
I had to show how happy Chloe was to have her Parisian party. Look at the smiles!!!
Chloe and her friend Kylee.
The theme for this party was Paris, Paris, Paris!
One of her lovely birthday gifts. She loves this dress!
Another gift for her. This one is now her constant companion.
Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!
Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Happy Birthday in Paris
I have to say that when I asked my little 3yr old, soon to be 4 yr old, what she wanted for her birthday, I received a strange answer from her. She didn't mention Disneyland, Princess collection,cell phone, doll, a Hummer or a big honking box of candy. She said she wanted to go back to Paris.
Now any sane person would say "No" to this request, but if you were me and where I am and waiting for a chance to go back to that wonderful place, then you would jump at this chance to go back to the "City of Lights'.
Since our first trip there many months ago, she has recounted many times her steps across this grand and lovely city. She remembers the sights and the smells as if she were just there that morning. She can tell you where Madeline fell from the bridge and the sweet pastry shops which were mere footsteps from our door. When we went in April, we stayed in a gorgeous apartment in a superbly multi-ethnic neighborhood. there was so much to love about this city! The gentleman whose apartment we stayed in was an excellent host even though we never met, he was just a phone call away. My 9 yr old was hospitalized for 4 days and her stay in the hospital was great! Oh, and the hospital food was awesome!! How many people can say that about a hospital? So French and so wonderful!
Anywho, we went back to Paris again and guess what? That pesky 9 yr old became ill again! 102 degree temperature ill! I just about lost what parental composure I had, but decided to make the best of it and focus myself on having a good time. One of the greatest moments of my life was had there on the first night we arrived. Instead of sitting around looking at the sad scenery from our cramped hotel room window, my son, birthday girl and I decided to make a quick night time run to see the tower ourselves. We took the Metro (underground train) to the nearest station and had to walk a few blocks to our destination. as soon as I could see the Eiffel, I called out to Chloe, "Look Chloe! The tower is ahead!" She came to a complete stop, looked forward and said in her most overjoyed voice, "The Eiffel Tower, The Eiffel Tower, The Eiffel Tower!" Each time she said this, her voice became ecstatic, almost to the point of tears. She was so happy! I almost cried to see her so happy! We walked to the tower and snapped a few photos with my cell phone, (duh, I forgot to take the real camera!). Wandering around the base of the tower, there seemed to be a never ending stream of tourists. Personally I thought all of those people should have been stuffed in their cramped little hotel rooms and sleeping, but apparently they had the same idea. We popped into a grocery store on the way home for some sandwich making supplies and ate a late night meal. She had thoroughly enjoyed herself and was so-ooo happy about her late night soiree.
A good time was had by all and the best time for the children was on the last night when we hired a driver to do a night time tour of the city. The sick 9yr old's fever had broken and I didn't want her thinking that all the sights of the city were on postcards. She needed some fresh air and a chance to see what we had seen the night before. There were many places we hadn't visited so we combined them all into an exciting personal guided tour.
I'll stop talking and let the pictures show you the beauty of the city at night
Now any sane person would say "No" to this request, but if you were me and where I am and waiting for a chance to go back to that wonderful place, then you would jump at this chance to go back to the "City of Lights'.
Since our first trip there many months ago, she has recounted many times her steps across this grand and lovely city. She remembers the sights and the smells as if she were just there that morning. She can tell you where Madeline fell from the bridge and the sweet pastry shops which were mere footsteps from our door. When we went in April, we stayed in a gorgeous apartment in a superbly multi-ethnic neighborhood. there was so much to love about this city! The gentleman whose apartment we stayed in was an excellent host even though we never met, he was just a phone call away. My 9 yr old was hospitalized for 4 days and her stay in the hospital was great! Oh, and the hospital food was awesome!! How many people can say that about a hospital? So French and so wonderful!
Anywho, we went back to Paris again and guess what? That pesky 9 yr old became ill again! 102 degree temperature ill! I just about lost what parental composure I had, but decided to make the best of it and focus myself on having a good time. One of the greatest moments of my life was had there on the first night we arrived. Instead of sitting around looking at the sad scenery from our cramped hotel room window, my son, birthday girl and I decided to make a quick night time run to see the tower ourselves. We took the Metro (underground train) to the nearest station and had to walk a few blocks to our destination. as soon as I could see the Eiffel, I called out to Chloe, "Look Chloe! The tower is ahead!" She came to a complete stop, looked forward and said in her most overjoyed voice, "The Eiffel Tower, The Eiffel Tower, The Eiffel Tower!" Each time she said this, her voice became ecstatic, almost to the point of tears. She was so happy! I almost cried to see her so happy! We walked to the tower and snapped a few photos with my cell phone, (duh, I forgot to take the real camera!). Wandering around the base of the tower, there seemed to be a never ending stream of tourists. Personally I thought all of those people should have been stuffed in their cramped little hotel rooms and sleeping, but apparently they had the same idea. We popped into a grocery store on the way home for some sandwich making supplies and ate a late night meal. She had thoroughly enjoyed herself and was so-ooo happy about her late night soiree.
A good time was had by all and the best time for the children was on the last night when we hired a driver to do a night time tour of the city. The sick 9yr old's fever had broken and I didn't want her thinking that all the sights of the city were on postcards. She needed some fresh air and a chance to see what we had seen the night before. There were many places we hadn't visited so we combined them all into an exciting personal guided tour.
I'll stop talking and let the pictures show you the beauty of the city at night
This Diet Thing
Okay, it has been 2-3 weeks now and I really can't tell if I have made a lot of progress. I can tell you that I thought I was going to faint when I went on the rowing machine earlier this week. I made it to the gym and actually worked out! I did take my little ones with me and had to get off the machines more than 3 times but I actually sweated!! Now there is something I haven't done on purpose for a long time-sweat on purpose. Sometimes I wonder about people who do that. They do have a purpose for it, but do we really have to sweat to show that we are making progress? Yech!
I can truly see why people take diet pills. They don't want to do the work, but they want the results. I feel that way sometimes. I'd like to eat that half dozen of piping hot, fresh baked, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but I don't want to "pay for my sins". Do you know how many calories that would be? That's 1320 calories!! Hello! That is nearly my whole days worth of food! They look good to me but not that good. I just have to leave the room and come back tomorrow when the heavenly smell of baked goods and melting chocolate has dissipated from the air.
My opinions are changing and so is my appetite. Now if you know me at all, you know that I have an insane love for baked goods- not just any baked good, but fresh out of the oven, made within the hour of my seeing them baked goods! I can contribute this to OSD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have to know it is fresh. Who knows how long things have been sitting on the bakery shelf before you purchase them? And how many hands have touched it? How clean are those shelves? On and on, the questions run through my head like a horse tethered to a rope, running around in circles. SO, now that you've seen how my mind works then you can see why I have an obsession for food freshness and why I tend to make things only a mere hour or two before they need to be served. (It also explains why I am late to things that I have to take food to.)
Next subject: My taste buds have changed since this challenge has begun. I have begun to really crave earthy tasting foods like fresh spinach and especially mushrooms, RAW ones. I eat mushrooms like a chain smoker. A few an hour and my appetite is satisfied. They are low cal and all that good stuff but I really like the fact that they satisfy my constant urge to chew something. (And snuff is out of the question!) I eat a package a day and seem to be fine with it.
My family feels strange about it. Maybe you eat too many of them, they say. They tease me and say things like, "Ehhh, eating those magic mushrooms again?? or Shouldn't you have those with a pizza?"
I'm okay with that. They can say what they like about me, but don't say anything bad about my mushrooms too close to the refrigerator. They might hear those negative thoughts and wont' share their magic with me anymore..............
I can truly see why people take diet pills. They don't want to do the work, but they want the results. I feel that way sometimes. I'd like to eat that half dozen of piping hot, fresh baked, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but I don't want to "pay for my sins". Do you know how many calories that would be? That's 1320 calories!! Hello! That is nearly my whole days worth of food! They look good to me but not that good. I just have to leave the room and come back tomorrow when the heavenly smell of baked goods and melting chocolate has dissipated from the air.
My opinions are changing and so is my appetite. Now if you know me at all, you know that I have an insane love for baked goods- not just any baked good, but fresh out of the oven, made within the hour of my seeing them baked goods! I can contribute this to OSD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I have to know it is fresh. Who knows how long things have been sitting on the bakery shelf before you purchase them? And how many hands have touched it? How clean are those shelves? On and on, the questions run through my head like a horse tethered to a rope, running around in circles. SO, now that you've seen how my mind works then you can see why I have an obsession for food freshness and why I tend to make things only a mere hour or two before they need to be served. (It also explains why I am late to things that I have to take food to.)
Next subject: My taste buds have changed since this challenge has begun. I have begun to really crave earthy tasting foods like fresh spinach and especially mushrooms, RAW ones. I eat mushrooms like a chain smoker. A few an hour and my appetite is satisfied. They are low cal and all that good stuff but I really like the fact that they satisfy my constant urge to chew something. (And snuff is out of the question!) I eat a package a day and seem to be fine with it.
My family feels strange about it. Maybe you eat too many of them, they say. They tease me and say things like, "Ehhh, eating those magic mushrooms again?? or Shouldn't you have those with a pizza?"
I'm okay with that. They can say what they like about me, but don't say anything bad about my mushrooms too close to the refrigerator. They might hear those negative thoughts and wont' share their magic with me anymore..............
Monday, October 3, 2011
A Challenge!
It has been a week since I decided to do this. So to make myself accountable, I have to let the world know!!!!
.
I, Misty Harris, challenge Malaka Grant to a "Weight Off".
Malaka replied with this weak message;
I, Malaka Grant, hereby ACCEPT your challenge! My goal size is an 8. I am currently an 18. No more fat and fluffy for me either!
What's the grand prize? A chocolate cake? Just kiddin', just kiddin'.
I have seen through this last year (well, I can't remember how long I have read your blogs and known you), that the both of us have put on an unhealthy and unacceptable amount of weight.
We have both borne children in the last year and have suffered with the after effects of a cesarean section. We don't get enough rest, eat too much unhealthy food, and don't move enough to get rid of all that excess. The overhanging belly tells me that it is time to go.
No more fat and fluffy for me!
How about you?
We both lead extremely busy lifestyles, but we deserve better!
If you accept this challenge, you may proceed by any means necessary.
Your family should participate with you by being active with you for at least 1-2 hours a week. This can include such outdoor activities as playing, washing the car, gardening, chasing chilrens, walking, hiking Mt. Killahiker, basketball or some kind of sport.
Soda needs to leave our diets along with fast foods. You may have a free day but only one free day a week. (And you can't roll it over to the next week!) Beware that this day of "free food paradise" may satisfy the craving that only Snickers may fill but may set you back on the scale. You may want to purge your cabinets of any temptations.
Whatever devices you choose to use; becoming a vegetarian, diet supplements, at home liposuction, Dr. Pepper, Dr.Phil, cabbage soup or exercise (oh my gosh-that means sweat!).
Do whatever it takes!
* (I am not liable if you hurt yourself- please do this in a sensible, adult manner.)(Legalities, legalities!)
One of us has to lose at least 15 pounds by Christmas. If you break that down, that gives you 12 weeks to lose it.
We have to check in at least every 2 weeks with news of our progress.
Can you do this?
Will you accept my challenge and defeat me... or crawl away with your tail between your fat thighs???
Get your Spandex ready!
(The Grand Prize will be given to the winner by the loser no later than Dec 31st.)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
A pickin' we will go! Part 1
Ahhh, fall is upon us and it is time for the traditional apple picking pilgrimage to Sandringham.
This year, we went on a Friday afternoon since the children were released from school early. A new group came with us and we had to caravan it since there are only 8 seats in my van. Needless to say, I hope I have introduced these "newbies" to the addiction.
This year, we went on a Friday afternoon since the children were released from school early. A new group came with us and we had to caravan it since there are only 8 seats in my van. Needless to say, I hope I have introduced these "newbies" to the addiction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)